18-year-old killed in Westboro crash was senior at Assabet Valley

Monday

Jan 6, 2014 at 6:00 AMJan 6, 2014 at 12:52 PM

By Scott J. Croteau and Bronislaus B. Kush TELEGRAM & GAZETTE STAFF

WESTBORO — An 18-year-old varsity soccer player at Assabet Valley Regional Technical High School in Marlboro was killed early Sunday morning when the family van he was driving crashed on Route 9 near the Speedway Plaza.

Police said that Pablo C. Salcedo, of 15 Willow St., a senior at Assabet, was pronounced dead at the scene.

Officials said they received a call about 12:30 a.m. Sunday reporting a two-car accident with one driver stuck in his vehicle in the westbound lane.

Arriving officers found a man trapped in a 2001 Dodge Caravan that had rolled over. The accident victim was later extricated by the members of the Fire Department.

“It appears that the Salcedo vehicle was proceeding west on Route 9 and he struck the sand-filled barrels at the Speedway Plaza intersection,” police said in a news release. “The vehicle then struck the Jersey barrier, rolling onto its side and then into the eastbound lane.”

Police said the van also struck another vehicle that was driven by 31-year-old Srikrishnan Balasubramanian of 185 Main St., Marlboro. He was not injured.

Officials said the roadway was “cleared” about 7 a.m.

The accident is under investigation by Officer Clifford Luce and members of the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council's Accident Reconstruction Unit.

School officials, including Principal Mark Hollick, referred media inquiries Sunday night to school Superintendent and Director Patrick Collins, who declined to comment.

“It's just too early (to say anything),” said Mr. Collins.

He said school will open as scheduled.

Assabet Superintendent Patrick C. Collins released the following statement today

Students and staff are mourning the loss of Pablo Salcedo, their friend, classmate, and teammate. Pablo was an active member of the Assabet school community. A senior in the Health Technologies Shop, Pablo was set to graduate this coming Spring. Pablo was captain of the boys soccer team this past Fall. He played on the boys volleyball team and also played football in his freshman year.

As news passed amongst the student body on Sunday, students initiated a “blue out” for Monday . Students and staff alike are wearing Aztec blue clothing in Pablo's memory and in support of one another.

The school has readied its counseling staff for a difficult day and week ahead. Guidance and adjustment counselors have cleared their schedules to meet with students who feel the need to talk to someone about Pablo's passing. Our school has also received and appreciates the numerous offers of support from area school districts.

Dealing with the unexpected death of a son and brother can be an overwhelming experience. The Assabet Community will assist Pablo's family anyway we can in the coming days and weeks ahead.